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The forward-operating base of the National Ploughing Association at the Championships this year. Muiris O'Cearbhaill/The Journal

The Ploughing itself is the real star as politicians try to cut through in Laois

Competitive bread baking, milking technology and politicians shaking hands – it has to be the Ploughing.

WHILE THE PRESENCE and pronouncements of politicians at the National Ploughing Championship is now a hardy perennial, they can’t overshadow the event itself.

A total of 75,500 people made their way down for the first day of the 93rd annual Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois as temperatures climbed above 20 degrees by the afternoon

Nowhere else in the world can you come across the National Brown Bread Making Contest and the head of state on the same day other than at The Ploughing, the event spearheaded for the last 50 years by 90-year-old trailblazer and businesswoman Anna May McHugh.

President Michael D Higgins gave this enthusiastic view of the event during his speech at the opening ceremony, just a few minutes after the historic contest got underway:

“The spectacle of so many people enjoying one of the social highlights of the year makes it not only one of the most important dates in our national calender, but also one of the most authentic expressions of an Ireland that remains to connected to land and nature.”

president-of-ireland-michael-d-higgins-and-wife-sabina-during-the-opening-ceremony-at-the-ploughing-championships-at-ratheniska-co-laois-picture-date-tuesday-september-17-2024 President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina during the opening ceremony of the National Ploughing Championships this afternoon. Alamy Alamy

Later, when asked what message he had for the population of Laois, he said: “Appreciate the sun. Be kind to each other. And may your kindness exceed the sun beyond today.”

At least someone was in good form as across the campus – facing a farm machinery display in the trade arena – Sinn Féin espoused a much less positive view of the feelings of the people of Laois and rural Ireland.

“There’s a real fear that farming may not be viable or attractive for young people to come and to have the life but also be part of the industry,” leader Mary Lou McDonald told press.

While bakers were wondering who would bag the €5,000 grand prize for the best loaf, and music fans were enjoying the tunes in the (literal) RTÉ circus tent, all public representatives were keen to get as much face time with the countrymen-and-women as they could.

IMG_4547 RTÉ's Circus Tent, located at the bottom of the trading area at The Ploughing Championships. Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal / The Journal

“What struck me this year is the big conversation seems to be about sustainability and succession on farms,” McDonald said.

The Sinn Féin leadership faced journalists for 15 minutes this afternoon outside its stand which promoted its housing policy.

IMG_4526 Sinn Féin's stand in Co Laois had a clear focus on housing policy. Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal / The Journal

Asked why no mention of farming was included on its stand, McDonald insisted housing was “at the heart of” the issues facing rural communities.

Delicate dance

The rural communities of Ireland have long had a tetchy relationship with the urban-based bubble of Leinster House.

It should come as no surprise to learn that 80% of farmers told a poll, published today by Agriland, that they believed climate measures brought in during the current Government’s term have had a negative impact on the economic status of their businesses. 

It’s a delicate dance for politicians to engage with the farming community, particularly as so many feel that they’ve been neglected – and unfairly blamed for Ireland’s climate laggard status.

taoiseach-simon-harris-meets-eugene-odonovan-at-the-national-ploughing-championships-at-ratheniska-co-laois-picture-date-tuesday-september-17-2024 Taoiseach Simon Harris met with Eugene O'Donovan during a visit to the contest site at the National Ploughing Championships. Alamy Alamy

Taoiseach Simon Harris acknowledged many of these often-heard criticisms today.

“Any farmer I meet doesn’t fear change,” he said.

“Any farmer I meet understands climate and the environment, quite frankly, better than any of us who talk about it in offices or talk about it in the Dáil chamber.”

All over the festival, companies joined exhibitions to show off that change – through new and renewable ways that the various trades in the industry can be carried out sustainably.

Teagasc – the advisory and research agency for the Department of Agriculture – was showing farmers the correct methods to properly make cows reach winter weight targets and how to properly maintain buffer zones in fields to protect water on site from fertiliser and pesticide run-off.

Meanwhile, Enterprise Ireland’s ‘Innovation Arena’ housed approximately 30 Irish start-up businesses from the agri-tech sector to tackle every aspect of farming, from dairy to care of the soil.

IMG_4471 Teagasc were giving advice and discussing restrictions with farmers at The Ploughing today. Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal / The Journal

This enthusiasm for new technologies is shared by the farming community, according to the Taoiseach.

“Farmers have nothing to fear from change – they know that, they don’t fear it. But what they do fear is their business and their industry not being made viable as a process of that change.”

The Taoiseach later added that measures would be included in the Budget to help smaller, family farms and in the future reforms of the EU Common Agricultural Policy too.

Agriland’s poll also found that support for Fianna Fáil has hit a “historic low” among farmers of 14%. The party now stands at just under half of farmer’s first preference support for their historic rivals Fine Gael, with 27%.

No Fianna Fáil TD or Minister was put before the media today. Though Finance Minister Jack Chambers did give a brief smile and wave to reporters as the press corp gathered outside the Sinn Féin tent.

Asked about a different poll from this week which also placed his party ahead of Fianna Fáil among the general public, Harris attributed his party’s popularity to its work to re-energise the organisation and said: “Polls come and comes go, and there’ll be another poll tomorrow and another poll the next day.”

In the crowd around Harris, during his statements to the media this afternoon, The Journal witnessed event-goers turn away from the comotion after realising it was “only the Taoiseach”. So who knows if any of this meeting and greeting really works.

There’s so much else to see and do in Ratheniska in the sun. 

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    Mute Tommy
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    Sep 17th 2024, 6:47 PM

    All the political parties on Island of Ireland Bluffing lies at the Irish electorate again and again ….

    Rinse and Repeat,

    131
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    Mute David Murray
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    Sep 17th 2024, 6:54 PM

    @Tommy: Spot on Tommy
    No work in any of them thats why they hang on for over 40 years. Money for jam
    and wheelbarrow pensions for doing nothing.

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    Mute Neil Ferriter
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    Sep 17th 2024, 7:42 PM

    @David Murray: If its that easy why don’t you run yourself Tommy ?

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    Mute Neil Ferriter
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    Sep 17th 2024, 7:45 PM

    @Neil Ferriter: Sorry that response was to David.

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    Mute max power
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    Sep 17th 2024, 7:19 PM

    Ironic that RTE hired a circus tent..

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    Mute James Leahy
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    Sep 17th 2024, 6:36 PM

    Election fever at the ploughing-more in their line to to do what they were elected to do.

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    Mute Brian Hunt
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    Sep 17th 2024, 7:06 PM

    Me’Hole and Simon were the star turns at the Bull Show!

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    Mute Toca Stories
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    Sep 17th 2024, 6:51 PM

    Not so much fun for locals as they can’t even get to work with the traffic or to important hospital appointments.

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    Mute James Leahy
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    Sep 17th 2024, 7:13 PM

    @Toca Stories: Mary Lou looked at home with the cows.

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    Mute JB Software
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    Sep 17th 2024, 7:27 PM

    @Toca Stories: I’d say you’re great craic on a night out

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    Mute Toca Stories
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    Sep 17th 2024, 9:00 PM

    @JB Software: great put down. Well done you….

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    Mute Pat Hazzard
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    Sep 17th 2024, 7:57 PM

    The only experience Shinners have with the soil is digging underground bunkers.

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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    Sep 17th 2024, 7:40 PM

    Is this the same as the Rose of Tralee?

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    Mute Ned
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    Sep 17th 2024, 7:53 PM

    The poor politicians getting picked on when they go to see a lad or lassie ploughing a field what’s the world coming to lads ??

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    Mute SV3tN8M4
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    Sep 18th 2024, 8:52 AM

    The gall of all our Political class showing up at the Ploughing, with their fake concerns & fake promises for Farming families. The Greens detest the Farming Community & constantly point the finger at them whilst Aviation, Data Centres, Cement Plants & Local Authorities get a free ride. The other parties abandoned Farmers & rural communities a long time ago, Simon Harris & Micheal Martin’s faux concern for Farmers is as fake as themselves. Rural Ireland has been abandoned & destroyed by this Govt, the only thing they did was dump thousands of people from all over the World on local communities, usually in the only Hotel or Amenity in that Community & put further pressure on already stretched Public Services. Liars the lot of them, should be ignored by the people.

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    Mute James T.Kirk
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    Sep 18th 2024, 6:55 AM

    The Farmer Fleadh.

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